Family Builders by Adoption

Currently there are over 52,000 children and youth in the California foster care system, with almost 6,000 in San Francisco Bay Area counties alone. Older youth in foster care, children of color, sibling groups, and LGBTQ+ youth face additional barriers to adoption. It is estimated that as many as 34% of youth in the foster care system identify as LGBTQ+. LGBTQ+ youth are in the foster care system for the some of the same reasons as other children, but many more are rejected by their families of origin simply due to their sexual orientation or gender identity & expression.

Like all young people, LGBTQ+ youth in foster care need the support of a nurturing family to help them navigate adolescence and grow into healthy adults. LGBTQ+ youth in foster care face additional challenges and stressors unique to their identity: homophobia, transphobia, and lack of safety of their schools, social networks, and homes when they disclose their LGBTQ+ identity.

Learn more about Family Builders' innovative programs to address the overrepresentation of LGBTQ+ youth in foster care below, and thank you for supporting Family Builders!